A retired Air Force senior master sergeant, Baldwin was appointed to the City Council in 1983 and elected mayor in 1994, making Baldwin one of the longest-serving members of a city council in Texas.

“He leaves a legacy of public service spanning almost 30 years on City Council. His 40-plus years with the City of Schertz and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District are a testament to his love for this community,” Schertz City Manager John Kessel said.

Baldwin “was the best mayor we ever had,” said Earl Sawyer, who was mayor for the 12 years preceding Baldwin. “He was an exceptional council member. He was always available when you wanted (to talk to him).” Born in Wichita, Kan., Baldwin moved to Schertz in 1967, his career with the Air Force culminating at Randolph AFB.

His involvement with the Citizens Advisory Committee, an organization that advises the City Council, was the beginning of Baldwin's four-decade span with city government.

In 1974, Baldwin participated in Project Transition, a program that helps retired Air Force members find full-time civilian jobs. He also helped develop a volunteer ambulance service.

Baldwin told friends that the most important thing the city did during his tenure was the formation of the Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation, a conglomerate owned by the cities of Schertz and Seguin that now serves as both cities' main water source. Forming the organization was “the biggest decision Schertz has made in all my years here,” Baldwin once said.

“Hal and I were the two longest running mayors in the area,” said Garden Ridge Mayor Jay Feibelman, who was elected in 1995.

“Obviously I've known him a long time, and we've always been friends.

“He was a very popular mayor in Schertz, well thought of, and he's going to be missed by a lot of people.”

Baldwin always meant what he said, said Mayor Pro Tem David Scagliola, who will serve as acting mayor through the end of May. “Hal had a special way about him. He was very straightforward, very practical, sometimes a little opinionated.

“He wasn't always politically correct, but I think that was part of his charm. You didn't have to read between the lines with the mayor. It was obvious.”

The City Council will call for a special election in November or appoint Baldwin's successor, who will serve out the remainder of Baldwin's term.